When Darcy Met Lizzy: A Queer Pride and Prejudice Remix

by Sammie Downing

As one of the first women gentlemen in England, Darcy has always played by the rules. If anyone examined her life, they would find no fault. She attended the best schools, assumed responsibility for her late father's estate, Pemberley, and tried her best to care for her younger sister, Georgiana. Darcy has spent twenty-five years conducting herself with honor, doing her duty to her family, and never letting her passions run away with her. 



Miss Elizabeth Bennet has always been a wild creature. The second of five daughters, with a poor father and a hysterical mother, she has made her way in the world by bending every rule and laughing in the face of anyone brave enough to challenge her. Lizzy's father is indifferent about her future and spends his time reading books and wasting away in his library. Her mother wants her to marry rich. But Lizzy? She just wants to be free. 



Seeking refuge from the weight of responsibility at Pemberley, Mr. Darcy decides to visit her friend, Charles Bingley, in the country. Darcy finds herself unexpectedly captivated by the witty and unconventional Elizabeth Bennet. Their connection defies every expectation, threatening to shatter the fragile peace Darcy has so carefully cultivated. Darcy has always been so certain about what she to uphold her father's legacy and build a better future for her sister. But Darcy's perfectly constructed life begins to crumble when the spirited Elizabeth Bennet begins to challenge her, defying every convention and igniting a forbidden desire. Can she risk everything for a love that could ruin everything she and her father have worked so hard to build?

Genres: Romance, LGBT, Historical Fiction, Lesbian

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

(rounded up from 4.5)

Another delightful Pride & Prejudice retelling. I actually love that in this version, we add more complexity to the characters by introducing the idea of eldest daughters being able to inherit and be the masters of their estates and be referred to as women gentlemen. It brings a delightful tension to Wilhemina Darcy as a "gentleman" who feels lesser than the other men in the eyes of the world and therefore strives hard to prove herself capable of inheriting and running Pemberley. The complex politics in a world where the eldest daughter can be the master of the house and also queer is a really interesting twist in this well-trod story and it's all the richer for it. I also appreciate that while most P&P retellings stick to Lizzy's perspective, here we alternate between Lizzy and Darcy's points of view to gain a fuller understanding of how Lizzy's words open up Darcy's world and enrich her life. Truly a fantastic change that really shows us the depth of characterisation here for both characters.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

UMM sapphic P&&P are you even joking me!??? its like this book was written for me personally!! now that i have experienced what is potentially my favorite love story of ALL time but GAY i honestly and unfortunately may be forced to believe in love again!! and tragically to resign myself to a life of yearning for my own love story until i find one that compares, send thoughts and prayers

[Daria Reaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a fun read!!! I am a huge fan of the original and as a queer person this book felt so personal and moving, silly snd sexy. Loved it!

[Rey Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare I say it but… I think I enjoyed this re-telling of P&P more than the original! I loved the world of women gentlemen that Downing created — it adds a richness and nuance that makes this story so much more interesting and relatable. I absolutely fell in love with Mr Darcy and Lizzy’s characters. The audiobook narrator did a great job, the story really came alive for me. This is such a lovely update to a beautiful, timeless love story.

[Isabella Paxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

its like a lil expansion pack

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with an open mind after randomly picking it up at a free library in Port Townsend. I honestly didn’t even read the back first. The title was enough to make me want to read it. I have always had a respect and admiration for the works of Jane Austen. I of course, have found them, at times, difficult to digest since the writing style is so far removed from modern, more informal speech. I have always adored TV or movie adaptations of her work so I was excited to find yet another adaptation. Downing obviously respects Jane Austen. As she says in her forward. “To alter some of the classic lines of Pride and Prejudice would be akin to modifying Einstein’s equations - it would destroy genius.”
This novel is well written. It holds true to Austen’s original form while adding some fun spins to the original characters. It’s funny, frustrating, passionate, and a little steamy.

[Maria Sørensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loooove a good wlw regency book, this retelling of pride and prejudice is brilliant. I love that it has been tweaked to have women in male fields and also being gay is acceptable. So it leaves out the anxiety of what if they get caught because they’re two women, which I really liked for a change.

All in all fantastic vibes from this book, and I will be thinking about it for a while. This book should be more know and popular imo.

Also the authors note 10/10.

[Ash Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I joined a RomCom book club two days before their meeting to discuss this. While I hadn't planned to read the July book, when I saw it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling, I ordered it instantly.

I enjoyed the world building adjustments and gender bending. There are parts I'm still not sure about (e.g. having access to Darcy's internal thoughts), but it was worth reading.

[Vara Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what my queer heart needed. I love this Mr Darcy so much! Thank you for this retelling.

[Seb · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a great fun gender bending queer sapphic retelling of pride and prejudice.I really enjoyed it

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was so, so beautiful! Made me remember why I fell in love with Austen in the first place. May Sammie Downing write more Austen or historical fiction in the future!

[Doc Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning characters and story. I loved hearing the personal backstory that lead to the creation of the story.

[Jen Keyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got bored and just couldn'tm